Whats a basic Audio Interface to use Studio Monitors as daily speakers?

[jedi5diah]

hifimediy.com/usb-isolator

USB isolator usually limited to 12mbps and has limited output current

will this change the ball game? dedicated data & power...

 

[wwenze]

will this change the ball game? dedicated data & power...

I used to have one (self made) that has the power wires leading straight to a wall wart.

Well that one has its uses.

But this is different from isolation.

 

[mypillowtalks]

Ok.. so in short (correct me if I'm wrong), for (better) sound quality, an interface or DAC would def be better than my PCI soundcard. In terms of output, TRS over RCA would be preferred? Do these various interface or DAC have their own sound signature or difference as well?

To comment on whether I could tell the diff between "good" and "perfect/even better" sound for the sake of arguing if I need an interface/DAC, tbh i cant say that I can distinctively point out the difference without paying much attention. Perhaps this is because I have never extensively listened to a professional set up before and might change when I do.

However, it does drive me nuts when I cant hear some of the underlying instruments or softer layers. I think for now (may change if i get poisoned ><), my ears are satisfied with clarity. I attend alot of music gigs in my free time and tend to find the sound quite distorted and muffled even at big fests like laneway.

Am I headed in the wrong direction? Lol..

As im not an audiophile, I can only give my view from a more engineering side. I work with professional audio systems for events than home audio, so im not so "audiophile", but the concept of sound and the electronics are very similar....

DAC and sound signature
It depends on the DAC and interface.

If the DAC is of better quality than your sound card (which is of quite good quality), it may (not necessary will) sound better.

Better quality could mean the components used (eg op amp) have better slew rate, or lower noise floor, the components have stricter tolerance, than your current sound card.

Since the component itself have different frequency respond, the sound signature may be different.

TRS vs RCA

In my opinion, to decide between RCA(Unbalanced) and TRS/XLR(Balanced), several factors such as length of cable and RF interference in the area have to be considered.

If just short distance and less prone to noise contamination, RCA will be good enough.
If long distance and very prone to noise, XLR/TRS will be necessary

3.5mm to RCA:

On RCA cable, there are 2 contacts: Signal and ground
On 3.5mm Cables, there are 3 contacts: Left signal, Right signal and ground

3.5mm to XLR:

On XLR cables, there are 3 pins: Hot, Neutral, Shield.

But in 3.5mm to XLR, the Neutral and shield is usually shorted in order to enable a XLR to be connected to a 3.5mm

In the above scenario, when noise contaminate the signals, it is harder to mitigate the result

On any device that converts unbalanced to balanced, each of the left and right signals are duplicated, so there are two copies of each signal. Meaning left channel signal have 2 copies: Original and inverted

After which, one of these signal is inverted in a way such that it is 180 out of phase with the original signal before it is transmitted

The original signal connects to pin 1 of the XLR, the inverted connects to pin 2, and the shield connect to the shield

The XLR cable(or any balanced) cable transmits the original and inverted signal to the receiver.

The receiver will invert the inverted signal so it become an exact copy of the original signal (double invert = original). Both of these signals are summed together so they are of bigger amplitude.

How XLR/trs/ balanced connection reject noise:
1. Remember in the XLR cable, there is shield, the shield will "absorb some noise"
2. During transmission, noise could contaminate both the "Original" and "Inverted" audio signal. But note that the random noise signal on both the cables are of the same phase.
Upon reaching the receiver, the "inverted audio signal" is inverted again so it is in phase with the original audio signal.
At the same time, the noise that contaminates the signal during transmission is inverted as well, this means the noise signal is out of phase with the noise signal at the other cable.
When the two signals are summed, the audio signals which is in phase is of bigger amplitude, and the noise signal is out of phase, so noise is attenuated.

Thus, TRS is preferred.

My advice

What sound good to others may not sound good to you, and vice versa.
Our ears have different frequency respond.

I have provided sound systems for very small gigs and general events before, and how well it sounds will depends on the acoustic parameters of the venue.
Also, it depends on what mic are used to pick up the instrument, and what the engineer like to hear, what the engineer hear at his mixer.
Some people tell me they wan ear deafening highs, some tell me they wan chest punching bass, some wan bass that moves the shirt, some want clear vocals. It depends.

So I think you can try to buy the monitor first, hear how it sounds, maybe one month later buy the interface and balanced cable. Play around, experiment with speaker positions.

Keep on trying and explore

 

[t258jgn]

My new USB Isolation Hoot

Now need to look for Linear Power Supply.
Any suggestions?

 

[Piezoq]

Hello!

I had intended to purchase the Presonus Eris e4.5 due to the reviews on how it offered great sound quality and was a good alternative to desktop speakers.

Headed to Sinamex and was intent on purchasing after auditioning. However, I was told by the staff that I should get a audio interface as my dedicated creative soundcard wouldnt do justice to the speakers. He then recommended a $300 focusrite Audio interface..

As I am not going to record anything, I have no need for all the extra music creation functions but just something simple to connect the monitors for everyday listening. Is there anything out there that offers a somewhat cheaper alternative that doesnt include all this extra function I do not require? (Behringer UCA202?)

Thanks!

IMHO, forget about anything upstream (onboard audio is fine) if you are one of the following:

1. USe your cell phone/tablet to consume most of your media
2. Find any pair of speakers >$500 a waste of money or indulgent luxury
3. Find the radio in the car perfectly adequate.
4. Do not know what is a DAC, monitor (v.s. speakers), active/passive and other terms being bandied in audio forums

I'll describe the vast majority of speakers in the $500 bracket as consumer-grade. They are designed for casual use and do not require higher-end processing chains. ONe will get more mileage out of an expensive speaker-cheap source v. cheap speaker-expensive source.

 

[wwenze]

Isolated vs non-isolated. Same DAC, same equipment etc. The only difference is the an isolated SPDIF connection (a proper USB to SPDIF converter) vs a non-isolated one (motherboard onboard coaxial).

Expect to see the same junk polluting an unisolated USB DAC.

Best part of this? The DAC or soundcard or whatever will measure excellently when it is measuring itself. -120dB SNR or whatever. This noise only shows up when the equipment is connected to the rest of the setup.

This is also why people say computer is bad for audio.

However a balanced connection will avoid the noise shown in the green plot, because the signal is referenced between hot and cold, and not between hot and ground which is where all the noise is.

 

[cajun22]

finally decided to get the isolating base/stands for the speakers

 

[fabienlzk]

Creative Sound Blaster ZXR w/ Mackie Mr5Mk3

First, wads your creative soundcard? Soundblaster Z (or Zx or ZxR)? Or those cheapo Recon3D ones?

Next, when the staff say that the soundcard 'doesn't do justice to the speakers', I guess by that he meant the output jacks, not the soundcard performance per se. Coz most internal soundcards use the standard 3.5mm jack for output to speakers. And stereo 3.5mm jacks are the poorest quality of the lot. To do the speakers "justice", best to connect using TRS cables, else RCA cable connection at the minimum to minimise/prevent EMI interference on the cables producing 'hissing' sounds on the speakers. Ranked in ascending order in terms of audio quality, 3.5mm jack < RCA jack < TRS (a.k.a. "1/4-inch") jack < XLR jack. So far for internal soundcards, without going way over budget, only the expensive Asus Xonar STX cards have RCA output jacks to connect to the speakers.

For me, I'm using Asus Xonar U7 to connect to my pair of Presonus E5 speakers, the bigger brother of the Presonus E4.5. U may wanna consider the U7 for your setup, it's only S$149 SRP (u can bargain with SLS shops for lower pricing), and it's external so no problems of EMI interference of PCIe spill over to soundcard. Alternatively, u can also try Presonus iOne at S$185 SRP from Luthermusic, though u might find it too overkill for your usage.

If u browse audiophile forums like head-fi, there is a rule of thumb going around that the soundcards/DACs/audio interfaces should cost no more than half the price of the speakers themselves for the most value-for-money puchase of both items.

What's wrong Creative Sound Blaster ZXR? I kinda new to this. I am using the sound card with my Mackie MR5MK3

 

[86technie]

Soundcard like most have mention it is using 3.5mm. Or RCA out which as compare TRS and TRS line have balanced and unbalanced output.
The output is much stronger than that's of 3.5mm.
Creative Soundcard there's no issue but it is meant to use with pc speaker.
Pro line or studio monitor at the back most use TRS to connect.
No one actually mention about mini mixer like Yamaha AG06 about $300.
Mixer such as these have TRS connection and of cuz USB to PC.
Don't really need a $1k plus mixer, many of it's channel will be wasted.
Pro speakers with 3.5mm jack there is one, the Pioneer model.
Just curious, not all are doing recording why do you need such a speaker especially for movies and games?

undefined HardwareZone Forums app

 

[fabienlzk]

Soundcard like most have mention it is using 3.5mm. Or RCA out which as compare TRS and TRS line have balanced and unbalanced output.
The output is much stronger than that's of 3.5mm.
Creative Soundcard there's no issue but it is meant to use with pc speaker.
Pro line or studio monitor at the back most use TRS to connect.
No one actually mention about mini mixer like Yamaha AG06 about $300.
Mixer such as these have TRS connection and of cuz USB to PC.
Don't really need a $1k plus mixer, many of it's channel will be wasted.
Pro speakers with 3.5mm jack there is one, the Pioneer model.
Just curious, not all are doing recording why do you need such a speaker especially for movies and games?

undefined HardwareZone Forums app

Because i don't like the audio quality for normal pc speakers. i bought the sound card because my friend actually recommended me that which i did not do much result before purchasing it.

 

[enenyi]

What's wrong Creative Sound Blaster ZXR? I kinda new to this. I am using the sound card with my Mackie MR5MK3

Nothing wrong with the card. It's just the output options on internal sound cards that i mentioned a year ago. Specifically for internal sound cards. And Creative ZxR happens to be one of the most expensive internal soundcards, alongside Asus Essense STX II.

 

[enenyi]

Because i don't like the audio quality for normal pc speakers. i bought the sound card because my friend actually recommended me that which i did not do much result before purchasing it.

If the Creative ZxR has RCA out or TRS out, plz use them over 3.5mm out. Unless ur 3.5mm stereo cables are highly sheilded and very unsusceptible to interference, else ur Mackie MK5Mk3 will occasionally (or frequently) produce humming/buzzing/hissing sounds that can be quite annoying at times.

 

[fabienlzk]

If the Creative ZxR has RCA out or TRS out, plz use them over 3.5mm out. Unless ur 3.5mm stereo cables are highly sheilded and very unsusceptible to interference, else ur Mackie MK5Mk3 will occasionally (or frequently) produce humming/buzzing/hissing sounds that can be quite annoying at times.

Yes, I am using the stock RCA cable with adapter from the sound card and it is working fine. Should I change about those cables?

 

[enenyi]

Yes, I am using the stock RCA cable with adapter from the sound card and it is working fine. Should I change about those cables?

Nah. If it aint broken, dont fix it.

Just be mindful that there is possibility of interference due to cables, so if u end up encountering hissing or buzzing sounds u noe wad to fix.

 

[fabienlzk]

Nah. If it aint broken, dont fix it.

Just be mindful that there is possibility of interference due to cables, so if u end up encountering hissing or buzzing sounds u noe wad to fix.

Meaning that the cables are broken?

Anyway, speaker stands to recommend? Might be changing to a UW monitor, which will be block my speakers.

 

[enenyi]

Meaning that the cables are broken?

Anyway, speaker stands to recommend? Might be changing to a UW monitor, which will be block my speakers.

Lol.

I meant that if things are working fine, dont need to change anything. The "if it aint broken, dont fix it" is a commonly used phrase for this meaning.

For speaker stands, u can check out the ones at Luthermusic or City Music. $100 range or less will be good enough.

 

[mutedf8]

best audio connection

Hello guys,

Can anyone advise the best cable connection method for PreSonus e3.5 & Xonar U7 mk2 from my pc?

1) PC (3.5mm) ->U7(3.5mm)->U7 (RCA) ->PRESONUS (RCA)
2) PC (3.5mm) ->U7(3.5mm)->U7 (RCA) ->PRESONUS (3.5mm)(auxin)

I already have an (RCA to 3.5mm) & (3.5mm-3.5mm) cable with me.

 

[Ferolare]

Hello guys,

Can anyone advise the best cable connection method for PreSonus e3.5 & Xonar U7 mk2 from my pc?

1) PC (3.5mm) ->U7(3.5mm)->U7 (RCA) ->PRESONUS (RCA)
2) PC (3.5mm) ->U7(3.5mm)->U7 (RCA) ->PRESONUS (3.5mm)(auxin)

I already have an (RCA to 3.5mm) & (3.5mm-3.5mm) cable with me.

PC -> U7 via USB -> Presonus via RCA

 

[mutedf8]

PC -> U7 via USB -> Presonus via RCA

so, i need to toggle USB audio 1.0 on U7, then connect using 2RCA to 2RCA to speakers?

 

[enenyi]

so, i need to toggle USB audio 1.0 on U7, then connect using 2RCA to 2RCA to speakers?

Don't need. Keep it at USB 2.0.

PC's USB port -> (provided USB cable for U7 Mk2) -> U7 Mk2's USB port

U7 Mk2's Left RCA port -> (RCA-to-RCA cable) -> Left Presonus speaker's RCA port

U7 Mk2's Right RCA port -> (RCA-to-RCA cable) -> Right Presonus speaker's RCA port